Optimal Strategy for CMV Prevention in HCT

CE / CME

Reducing the Burden of Cytomegalovirus in HCT: Optimal Strategy for Prevention

Physician Assistants/Physician Associates: 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credit

Nurse Practitioners: 1.00 Nursing contact hours, includes 1.00 hour of pharmacotherapy credit

Released: July 21, 2023

Expiration: July 20, 2024

Roy F. Chemaly
Roy F. Chemaly, MD, MPH

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Overview of CMV Infection in HCT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a DNA virus and member of the herpesviridae family (also known as β-human herpesvirus type 5). Approximately 50% of the US adult population have been infected with CMV, with a higher prevalence in older patients and among women of childbearing age.1-3 In most individuals, primary CMV infection is largely asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. After being contained by the immune system, the virus then remains latent in epithelial and other tissues.2,4 

Reactivation with CMV is a very common occurrence after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) due to immunosuppressive conditioning regimens and the high prevalence of latent CMV infection mainly in recipients.5,6 CMV infection reactivates in 60% to 70% of seropositive transplant recipients. Development of primary CMV infection among seronegative transplant recipients who receive a transplant from a seropositive donor has been reported.6

Which of these are the most common sites of CMV disease after allo-HCT?